Heavy Bombers Weekend, Madison WI

Madison, WI, May 29, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​In a third annual gathering of World War II era aircraft the CAF and EAA are joining forces for a ‘Heavy Bombers Weekend 2015’ in Madison, Wisconsin the weekend before EAA AirVenture. The event starts Friday, July 17, 2015 and will feature the world’s only airworthy B-29 Superfortress FIFI; the B-17 Aluminum Overcast; and the EAA Ford Tri-Motor. Other attending aircraft include a P-51 Mustang, C-45 Expeditor, SB2C Helldiver, PT-13 Stearman, T-6 Texan, F-86A Sabre, T-33 Shooting Star, SNJ-5, and PT-26. Many of the airplanes will be available for ground tours and rides. Additional ground tour aircraft include an Wisconsin Guard UH-60 Blackhawk and UW MedFlight Helicopter.

“We are excited to bring these historic aircraft back to Madison, Wisconsin,” said Gerald Oliver, a member of the CAF B-29 Squadron, “The people of Madison and southern Wisconsin offered very strong support for the 2013 & 2014 events so we are bringing another unique show in 2015 for the community to enjoy.” Sean Elliott, EAA Vice President of Advocacy and Safety said, “This is a historic opportunity for the public to view, touch, photograph, climb-through, and even fly on these aircraft at one location. Madison, Wisconsin is a perfect stop, once again, for the EAA and CAF for their national tours on their way to EAA AirVenture the following week.”

"We are excited to bring these historic aircraft back to Madison, Wisconsin,. he people of Madison and southern Wisconsin offered very strong support for the 2013 & 2014 events so we are bringing another unique show in 2015 for the community to enjoy."

Gerald Oliver, CAF B-29 Squadron

The event will be held on the east side of Dane County Regional Airport at Wisconsin Aviation, 3606 Corben Court, Madison, Wisconsin 53704. Admission for a 3-day ground tour ticket is $15 per person or $25 for families with children under 18. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 17 through 19. Jeff Skiles, resident of Oregon, Wisconsin and first officer from ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ US Airways Flight 1549 will be an acting flight crew member during the weekend for the CAF aircraft. Famous Dave’s BBQ, Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, WWII reenactors and CAF/EAA merchandise will be available daily. The Madison Mallards mascot, Maynard, will be available daily from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Saturday evening will include Wisconsin Aviation’s 14th Annual 1940s-Style Hangar Dance: A salute to the troops, past and present; 6:00p.m. to 10:30p.m. featuring Ladies Must Swing Orchestra.

Ride reservations are recommended and can be made at http://www.heavybombersweekend.splashthat.com/. Or, call EAA reservations at (800) 359-6217 or CAF reservations at (432) 413-4100.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, first flown in 1942, began active service in 1944 and is perhaps best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring about the end of World War II. It was designed as a replacement for the older B-17s and B-24s, with longer range and greater bomb loads. The B-29 was also used in the Korean War in the early 1950s and was a staple of the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.

Since EAA began tours of the B-17 in 1994, tens of thousands of people have experienced this unique airplane through its flights and ground tours. Known as The Flying Fortress, the B-17 bomber is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best-known aircraft types of the World War II era.

The Ford Tri-Motor or the “Tin Goose” was first built by the Ford Motor Company in the late 1920s. EAA’s Ford Tri-Motor was constructed in 1929 and has an intriguing history, with roles ranging from service as Cuban airliner to extensive background fighting forest fires while transporting smoke jumpers. Since then it has been hangared at the EAA Museum’s historic Pioneer Airport and only departs to make public appearances and for its touring.

About the CAF AirPower History Tour: 
The B-29 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force brings together the aircraft, pilots and crews from over 63 CAF units across the country to create the AirPower Squadron – an ever changing assortment of military aircraft touring together to bring the sights, smells and sounds of World War II aviation history to audiences across the United States.

About the CAF’s B-29 Superfortress, FIFI:
FIFI was acquired by the CAF in the early 1970s when a group of CAF members found her at the U.S. Navy Proving Ground at China Lake, California where she was being used as a missile target. The airplane was rescued and restored and flew for over thirty years until 2006 when the chief pilot made the decision to ground her pending a complete power plant re-fit. What followed was an extensive four-year restoration that included replacing all four engines with new custom-built hybrid engines. FIFI returned to the sky in 2010 and since that time has traveled coast to coast attracting large crowds at every tour stop. Learn more about FIFI and her tour schedule at http://www.AirPowerTour.org.

About the Commemorative Air Force: 
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 12,000 members and a fleet of over 160 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 63 units located in 27 states for care and operation. The mission of the Commemorative Air Force is to honor the men and women who built, maintained and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that mission is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. For more information, visit http://www.commemorativeairforce.org.

About the EAA’s B-17, Aluminum Overcast, and Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-E:
EAA’s Aluminum Overcast was built in 1945, but was delivered to the Army Air Corps too late to see active service in World War II. The B- 17 was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation in 1981 with the provision of the aircraft being maintained in airworthy condition. After being displayed at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wis., for a decade, the airplane made its national tour debut in the spring of 1994. From 1926 through 1933, Ford Motor Company built 199 Tri-Motors. EAA’s model 4-AT-E was the 146th off Ford’s innovative assembly line and first flew on August 21, 1929. Ford’s Tri-Motor aircraft, nicknamed “The Tin Goose,” was designed to build another new market, airline travel. The first three Tri-Motors built seated the pilot in an open cockpit, as many pilots doubted a plane could be flown without direct “feel of the wind.” After an arduous, 12-year restoration process by EAA staff, volunteers, and Ford Tri-Motor operators nationwide, the old Tri-Motor took to the air once again, where it had its official re-debut at the 1985 EAA Fly-In Convention in Oshkosh. EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 177,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAAupdate.

About Wisconsin Aviation’s Hangar Dance:
Featuring big band music performed by Ladies Must Swing, a jazz band consisting of 19 energetic dames. Vintage wear is encouraged and there will be prizes for the best-dressed couple and best dancers. The ladies will be performing 1940s tunes all night long - enjoy Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Seems Like Old Times, Leap Frog, In the Mood, Tennessee Waltz, and much more. A portion of the door sales and all drink and snack sales will go to benefit Badger Honor Flight. http://www.ladiesmustswing.com